Method and apparatus for removing articles from between load patterns in a bulk palletizer

A method of removing articles between load patterns in a bulk palletizer or the like of the type having a pattern forming area and a pattern loading area, pattern forming means, movable between the pattern forming area and the pattern loading area, with retractable article retaining means located at the rear end thereof, means for conveying articles to the pattern forming area, retractable article holding means movable along the conveying means and article reject means for moving articles to be removed in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor means, the reject means being situated at the rear end of the pattern forming means, when same is in position in the pattern forming area, comprising the steps of:

• positioning the pattern forming means in the pattern forming area with the article retaining means in the retracted position;
• positioning the article holding means in the retracted position above the pattern forming area;
• conveying the articles to the pattern forming area such that a first set of articles, formed into a pattern by the pattern forming means, are positioned with the trailing edge thereof situated on the reject means, a second set of articles, to be formed into the next pattern, are positioned with the leading edge thereof situated on the reject means and a third set of articles, located between the first and second sets, are positioned on the reject means;
• moving the retaining means into the unretracted position to engage the first set of articles;
• moving the holding means into the unretracted position to engage the second set of articles;
• moving the pattern forming means, and thus the first set of articles, to a position remote from the article reject means;
• moving the holding means, and thus the second set of articles, to a position remote from the article reject means, and
• actuating the reject means to move the third set of articles in a direction transverse to the direction of the conveyor means.

Apparatus for removing articles between load patterns in a bulk palletizer or the like of the type having a pattern forming area comprising first means for conveying the articles to the pattern forming area, second means for conveying the articles to be removed from the pattern forming area, the articles in the pattern forming area being seperated into a first set, comprising articles forming a first pattern, a second set, comprising articles to be formed into a second pattern and a third set, comprising articles between said first and second patterns, said second conveying means being situated with respect to the first conveyor means such that the trailing edge of the first pattern, the leading edge of said second pattern and said third set of articles are initially located thereon, first retractable means for engaging the trailing edge of said first set of articles and second retractable means for engaging the leading edge of said second set of articles, means for moving said first and second retractable means in opposite directions so as to remove said trailing edge of said first set and said leading edge of said second set from said second conveyor, and means for actuating said second conveyor means to move said third set of articles in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said first conveyor means such that said third set of articles is removed from the pattern forming area.